Does car warranty cover towing?
There’s never a good time for your car to break down at the roadside. At Car.co.uk, we understand this and try to alleviate your frustration as fully as we can. We offer warranties that cover both roadside assistance and the cost of towing your vehicle if required. Not only that, we offer car hire expenses of £50 per day for as long as 10 days and cover extra travel expenses incurred. This cover is available for both the UK and Europe.
Common causes of breakdown
When considering ‘does car warranty cover towing?’, think about some of the most frequent reasons why vehicles break down in the first place, and what you can do to limit your chances of needing roadside recovery:
Battery problems
This is a problem particularly associated with winter because the cold can interfere with the chemical reaction needed for the battery to work. It can also make the engine oil thicker so it takes more effort for the battery to start the engine. The heaters, windscreen wipers and lights are used more in winter too, all causing a drain on the battery.
Using the car exclusively for short journeys can also cause problems because the battery never has the chance to fully recharge. You can solve this by charging the battery overnight every couple of weeks – but make sure you have the correct battery charger.
Wheels and tyres
In the UK, you are not obliged by law to carry a spare wheel, but it is certainly advisable to do so. If you do, ensure that it is roadworthy, within legal limits and fully inflated. Bear in mind that a spare wheel is pretty useless without a jack and the correct tools for removing and replacing the wheel, and make sure that you know how to do it.
Ensure your tyres are at the correct pressure and adjusted for heavy loads. And make a point of regularly checking the tread depth, particularly before long journeys. If you notice uneven wear, have the wheel alignment checked and, if you have hit the kerb or a pothole, examine the wheels for damage.
Running out of fuel
Start long journeys with a full tank. Keep an eye on the fuel gauge and fill up before you are running on fumes. If you accidentally put the wrong fuel in the tank, don’t even think about driving – the car needs towing.
Electrical problems
The increasing complexity of cars means electrical problems are a common cause of breakdown. It may be resolved by simply changing the battery, but if the fault is in the computer, the car will need to be taken to a repair centre.
If you have an electric vehicle, make sure it is fully charged before you set off. If you run out of charge on your journey, you will need assistance.
Clutch
However carefully you use the clutch, cables can break and roadside assistance will be necessary.
Ignition
The starter motor, spark plugs and HT leads will wear out eventually, so have your vehicle serviced regularly to avoid problems.
Lost keys
It is so easy to lose that microchipped key designed to prevent theft. Make sure you have a spare key at home, but if you are away from home, you will need professional assistance.
Many of these problems can be avoided by simply servicing and checking your vehicle regularly, but some are more serious and will require assistance.
Read the terms of your car warranty carefully too so that you know under what circumstances you are covered for towing. This will help to ensure that you know what to do in an emergency situation.
